After his “Scottish coronation,” King Charles returned to London and Windsor, where he’s still working and doing events ahead of his first “summer” as monarch. QEII tended to do the same – she would go to Scotland in the first week of July for Holyrood Week, then she would return to London for business, then by mid-to-late July, she was off for Balmoral. Sometimes it was earlier than that, especially in her later years – she couldn’t wait to get to Balmoral and start her summer holiday, and she would often not return to London until October. Charles will do things differently – after all, he owns multiple homes in Scotland, and he prefers to spend time at Castle of Mey and Birkhall rather than the “big house” at Balmoral. As such, he’s extended the summer calendar for when tourists can visit Balmoral, because he’s not going to be using it. This is being framed as some kind of snub to Prince Andrew.
Already fighting moves to evict him from his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew now faces losing his summer holiday venue as well. I can disclose that King Charles has decided to keep Balmoral open to the public for an extra two weeks, during the time when his younger brother would usually stay at the private Scottish retreat with Sarah, Duchess of York and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
‘This will bring significant new revenue into the estate,’ says my man in the kilt and sporran. ‘It may, however, have the effect of annoying the Duke of York, who has treasured his time in Royal Deeside ever since he was a little boy.’
Queen Elizabeth would always begin her summer holidays at her beloved Balmoral on the last weekend of July. However, the estate, which was bought by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, in 1852, will now be open to the public daily until August 16.
It’s understood that the King will continue his own tradition of spending the first week of August at the Castle of Mey, in Caithness, the former home of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He may then head to Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral Estate, while he waits for the castle to close to tourists.
Andrew could, in theory, visit the Aberdeenshire estate later in the summer, but he would need to be invited by the King. Queen Elizabeth invited Andrew to stay with his daughters and their families each summer.
Although Fergie was thought to have exchanged not a single word with her former father-in-law, Prince Philip, for many years after she divorced Andrew in 1996, she remained on good terms with the Queen. Sarah stayed several times at Balmoral, although she always left before Philip arrived. Fergie underwent a gruelling, eight-hour operation last month as she battles breast cancer.
‘The Duchess is in recovery from a major operation so she has made no travel plans at this stage,’ her spokesman tells me. ‘Summer holiday/travel will be guided by how she is feeling at the time.’
[From The Daily Mail]
I find it interesting that they’re making this all about Andrew, when really, it affects the whole family? Maybe Charles doesn’t have the same expectations as his mother, who basically demanded everyone in the family to trot up to Balmoral for at least four or five days every summer. Charles doesn’t even want to live in the big house, he wants to just use it for family dinners and such. But surely, by extending the tourism, he knows that most of the family will avoid going to Balmoral this summer? It’s funny because Andrew was probably the only one who genuinely enjoyed spending time there. Most of the family would just do the obligatory drop-by for a few days and then they were off to enjoy their real summer holiday.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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The Duke of York attends a service at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.,Image: 721406690, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Prince Andrew, Duke of York follows behind The Queen’s funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy as it leaves Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.,Image: 724154624, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Jeff Spicer / Avalon
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King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla visit Dunfermline City Chambers, and walk to Dunfermline Abbey to mark its 950th anniversary, and celebrate the former town’s new city status as Scotland’s eighth city.,Image: 727811330, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: FEE PAYBLE ON USAGE, Model Release: no, Credit line: Euan Cherry / Avalon
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King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla visit Dunfermline City Chambers, and walk to Dunfermline Abbey to mark its 950th anniversary, and celebrate the former town’s new city status as Scotland’s eighth city.,Image: 727811347, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: FEE PAYBLE ON USAGE, Model Release: no, Credit line: Euan Cherry / Avalon
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King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation. Picture date: Monday July 3, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL King. Photo credit should read: Andrew,Image: 786951304, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: ***NO UK SALES FOR 48 HRS***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla are presented with a leather-bound book detailing the history of Holyroodhouse by moderator of the High Constables, Roderick Urquhart, as they visit the new Jubilee Gates, installed at the entrance to Abbey Yard to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.,Image: 787148938, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Jonathan Brady / Avalon
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Death Of HM Queen Elizabeth II: Procession Of Queen Elizabeth’s Coffin To St Giles Cathedral
King Charles III, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York walk behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
Featuring: King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
When: 12 Sep 2022
Credit: Phil Noble/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images
**North America Rights Only**
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Death Of HM Queen Elizabeth II-Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles’ Cathedral
Sophie Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex, Prince Andrew the Duke of York, King Charles III, Camilla Queen Consort, Princess Anne the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence during a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
Featuring: Sophie Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, King Charles III, Camilla Queen Consort, Princess Anne
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
When: 12 Sep 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images
**North America Rights Only**
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Death Of HM Queen Elizabeth II: Royal Family Holds Vigil At St Giles’ Cathedral
King Charles III and other members of the royal family hold a vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II as members of the public walk past.
Featuring: Princess Anne, King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
When: 12 Sep 2022
Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images
**North America Rights Only**
Charles isn’t sentimental about family and property the way Elizabeth was.
I don’t think he’ll have enough to get together a good game of “ibble-dibble” (according to The Crown’s depiction of Balmoral mandatory post-prandial games).
It’s so absurd the significance the press puts on such small, petty things in the bigger picture. Who gets the visit Balmoral, who gets to stand on the balcony, who gets the better seat at an event…like it’s the end all be all of these people’s existence.
But it does appear to be the end all and be all of these people’s existence. The rota , the courtiers and therefore by extension the royal family themselves have reduced themselves to this life long pettiness.
In this case, a life of privilege makes a life of purpose impossible.
That’s all any of this is. The titles, the badges, the funny hats, the seating charts — they’re all tiny symbolic things with little or no value of their own.
QEll, by virtue of her longevity, her history, and perhaps her genuine and sincere commitment to her version of “service” added value to the baubles and the waves and the brief personal interactions. Charles — not so much, and some of them — not at all.
It must be very strange for people like the Duke of Kent and others in his age range to see and experience the majesty become less and less majestic, and to contemplate having the incurious, work-shy, uncharismatic William at the helm of whatever’s left.
@Blithe: Very well said. Queen Elizabeth II served her country and commonwealth in a way that, I am very sure, no other monarch will ever be able to replicate, nor even care to do.
This.
I love that they are reminding their readers financially reeling from Brexit that the sweaty entitled nonce will be pouting because he won’t get his taxpayer funded Scotland summer holiday this year.
Or worse instead of a 10-week vacation he has to make do with 8 weeks.
Hmmm. My guess is Balmoral has lost a lot of its appeal now that its not a place to network with QEII. But, I do think the family will spend time there this August/September. Anne also seems to enjoy Balmoral. i wouldnt be surprised if Charles and his siblings were all there for the anniversary of the Queen’s death.
I just don’t think being seen going to church with Charles has the same significance as being seen with the late Queen, you know?
Nailed it.
The dynamic has completely shifted and while some of them may enjoy being up there it’s no longer about the prestige of being invited by Liz.
Does anyone really care that the pedo won’t have time in Scotland? Isn’t he afraid if he leaves his lodge that is being fixed that Chuckles will change the locks?
Not while Fergie is recovering from breast cancer and surgery there
I’m not sure Andrew would be too upset about delaying his stay at Balmoral if it means the family can make more money.
Charles will want a family photo with the Windsor gang but otherwise I don’t think he really cares about extended family time. We all know this is not a close family. They will gather for a few days then scatter to their own vacations. But of course everything discussed about the pictures will be about the 4 people missing from them.
I won’t click on this article, but I find the excerpt interesting. It leads with the universally despised Paedrew: look he can’t visit Scotland due to his brother! Then it segues into Balmoral being open to earn £££ an extra 2 weeks (less of a burden to taxpayers?). After that it invokes a memory of the queen, etc,…
CRex and his family have had a rough time in Scotland recently. To me this reads as an attempt to dampen the discontent.
Gotta say, it didn’t work on the American; not sure about the Scots, but reading about Chuckie’s summer hols starting at the Castle of May, then moving to Birkhall, then Balmoral itself was just irritating. This is far from relatable!
Absolutely unrelatable, BeanieBean! Sort of like the “woe is us” we might be forced to move into one of our 13 residences at 80, which is so, so difficult. Or spending time in many of your 10+ homes throughout the year and ignoring the costs and privilege associated with that.
Every description I’ve read of these Balmoral made them sound like a nightmare. No wonder Andrew loves it.
When QEII was alive, both she and Andrew were at Balmoral in May on at least one occasion, and the Balmoral grounds was still opened to the public. It was how I, a lowly American, actually saw him in person. I was on a Range Rover tour of the Balmoral Estate. We were told the Queen was in residence at Craigowan Lodge, as was Andrew As we drove around the area, Andrew was walking up a hill with three dogs. Andrew asked our guide to stop, so that Andrew could tell our guide to be careful and not run over the dogs. Before Andrew got to the car, we were told no photos, and don’t speak to him (fine by me!). We later saw his car at one of the cabins on the grounds.
We also stopped by the guardhouse by the Craigowan Lodge briefly, where the guide just chatted briefly (probably to just let them know the tour group was on the loose). The guide mentioned that QEII often came up to Balmoral for a week in May, it was not unusual, and it was business as usual for the tourism side of Balmoral.
Anyway, unless Charles has banned him from Balmoral, Andrew can and has visited during the tourist season. Yet another odd story from the BM, unless Andrew is feeding stories to the BM because Charles did ban him from visiting whenever he felt like going up!
Or they are just clueless about the whole setup & never bothered to do even a teeny bit of research.
Why exactly do these people need a vacation? They don’t do any real work. Showing up for a photo op and staying 30 minutes to an hour per event is not work unless you are doing 8 events per day, 5 days per week, 50 weeks per year.
Even Elizabeth and Anne, who always topped the events list, worked approx 300-400 hours PER YEAR.
As for Andrew, he’s the worst because he’s not working or doing any events yet he is still funded by the taxpayers. So f*ck that guy and his oh so cushy life.
Another dross peice! It’s open to the public for longer? Yep more money into the Royal Bank account that they won’t pay tax on. Prince ponce has happy memories of Balmoral, because that’s where he ran, to hide behind his mummies skirt, so those big bad solicitors for the woman he abused and trafficked could not serve papers on him, AND SHE BLOODY WELL LET HIM! That was no way for a queen to behave, HEAD OF STATE!! She should have kicked his ass out of the gates and told him to go face the music and either prove his innocence or take the punishment. But no, she hid him up there for weeks, and then gave him millions AGAIN to get out of another situation, just like she did with his Swiss chalet, and the dodgy dealings with Sunningdale. Christ almighty I wish an investigative reporter would do a REAL deep dive on this mafia sect and a paper /TV channel would have the guts to publish it
Head of State and Head of the Church of England.
Well said, Mary Pester! And yes, QE2 was both HoS and Head of the CoE, SarahCS. Time to look into that.
You’re 100% right. One perspective on QEII that made her appealing was the perception that she was steely about what’s right and wrong. That goes back to her father insisting on the royals staying in London during the Blitz. So allowing Andrew to hide goes against that courageous facade.
@shauna, that’s true, BUT what they didn’t bank on were the pictures of the king, the Queen mother, the princesses all together in a picture giving a Nazi salute
You can’t hide your history with the Internet in existence
I urge you to read “And What Do YOU Do?” By Norman Baker, former MP and member of the Privvy Council. She may have been beloved, but QEII set her family UP financially and really is the greatest grifter of all time
@Heather, It’s an eye-opening book. Balmoral was bought with money that was supposed to go towards Queen Victoria’s official monarchial duties, so, one could make a case that it’s public, not private, property.
This.
Why can’t Andrew stay at Birkhall or Mey? Why does it HAVE to be Balmoral?
Wouldn’t Charles still control access to all of those options? The issue, then, is that Andrew would have to be invited.
Birkhall belongs to Charles, who inherited it from the Queen Mum. It’s one of his ‘pride and joy’ possessions, he honeymooned there with Camilla.
Do a lot of people visit Balmoral? I thought it was pretty remote. Do the ticket sales come close to the cost of maintaining it?
Ridiculous that Charles has two houses he stays at, and none of them are actually Balmoral Castle. Does he rent those out the rest of the year?
It looks fairly remote to me but there are cottages on the estate that you can rent so I would not be surprised if a fair number of tourists build it into a road trip through Scotland or something.
I wish everybody suffering with cancer had a choice of when/if to travel rather than how soon they have to get back to work. I have sympathy for Fergie but it’s limited due to her extraordinary ability to not work or worry about finances which don’t stop with cancer for most people.
The family is fractured now that QEII is gone, she was the glue that held it together. Camzilla will undoubtedly have her family up to visit, but it’s not going to be the forced jollity it was in the past. I doubt the WanKs will be there together, even Balmoral isn’t big enough for the 2 of them and we all know Chuck isn’t her biggest fan. As for Andrew and Fergie, he still is persona non grata and I doubt she’ll feel well enough to travel. DIEP flap surgery is hell to recover from, and if she’s undergoing radiation and chemo, she’s going to be weak as a kitten for some months. Her so-called BFF Andrew would do well to just stay out of sight and take care of her as much as he can. Maybe he’ll let her sleep with his teddy bears.
the teddy bears!!!
I always wonder if the lesser royals don’t feel trapped by some of these non-official traditions. Like, I’d personally love to go spend some time at Balmoral and stay in a beautiful estate and ride horses and stalk stags or whatever they end up doing. But if I were stinking rich and had the ability to take whatever luxury holiday I wanted, the thought of NOT going and hunting grouse with my immediate family like I have done every summer for the last 60+ years and was expecting to do until I die… might seem like a nice change? Like Pedo Andy is thinking, “W00T! Off to the tropics!”
Pedo Andy needs to be very careful about leaving the country. Poor thing.
So should I be searching Airbnb for cozy Scottish Castle getaway this summer?